Personal tools

FAQs

Swift Watch frequently asked questions.

Vaux's Swifts enter the Chapman chimney - Scott Carpenter

When will the swifts be in Portland this year?During the month of September.

When should I arrive?Plan to arrive one hour before sunset. Allow extra time to park at Montgomery Park or Selco Community Credit Union and walk to the school. The swifts begin gathering in the sky above the Chapman School
neighborhood in large numbers 40-60 minutes before sunset. Closer
to sunset, the swifts begin circling directly above the school chimney
in a large swirling flock – this is a dramatic sight and ideally you should be
there before it begins. The birds begin to enter the chimney within 10-30 minutes after sunset. Entry time is between 10 and 20 minutes.

Timing can vary as the season progresses and
according to different weather conditions.

Do not expect to find parking near the school! Please DO NOT drive up NW Pettygrove Street past NW 26th Avenue - it is a dead end and turn-around traffic creates a difficult and dangerous situation.

How many swifts will be at Chapman?The number of swifts roosting in the Chapman chimney varies from year to year, and we can't predict what 2014 will bring. We will post current numbers as they become available on our Swift Counts page. To get an idea of the number of birds that come to Chapman, here are our swift counts from 2009:

Prior to 2004, as many as 35,000 swifts had been counted in one evening. More recently, high estimates have been around 15,000 swifts.

How long will the swifts be there?Swifts will most likely be roosting at Chapman through the end of September or even early October but will decrease in numbers by then. The best viewing is during the first three and a half weeks of September.

Will the Audubon Society of Portland there?Yes, most nights of the week from Sept. 1-30. Volunteers and staff will have information about swifts, raptors, and opportunities to learn more about the Audubon Society of Portland.

What facilities are nearby?

Bathrooms: Public restrooms are located in the NE corner of Wallace Park, very close to the intersection of NW 25th Ave and NW Overton Street. Port-a-potties will also be available. Please use them!

Garbage: Garbage cans are located at 26th & Pettygrove and in Wallace Park. Please use them!

Where is the school?

Chapman Elementary School is west of NW 25th Ave between NW Pettygrove and NW Raleigh.

Portland Audubon volunteers will be present at a table on the viewing hill above the playing field near the Swift Information Kiosk

What do I need to bring?

Bring something comfortable to sit on or in.

Bring binoculars and a curious mind.

What can I do to make it a positive experience?

Be respectful of the neighborhood, its residents, and other swift watchers.

Please take all of your waste with you and dispose of it properly.

Bear in mind that 500–3,500 people descend on the neighborhood every night for a month!

Audubon Society of Portland promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife,
and their habitats. We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest.
Inspiring people to love & protect nature since 1902.

Volunteer Hours in 2014:
44,319

ORGANIZATION'S NAME GOES HERE!!! It will be hidden by CSS; we need it
only for hCard compliance.